(HockeyStL) -- It wasn’t exactly the news Jamie Langenbrunner wanted to hear, but it came as little surprise to the veteran forward that a torn labrum in his left hip will need surgery.

“I’m not really sure when it occurred. Doctors couldn’t tell me either. It could have been years ago, you never know. It’s just one of those things and when it starts to affect you -- it’s been the last few weeks, it’s been a little painful,” Langenbrunner said.

It will likely end his season.

The 37-year-old Langenbrunner played his last game Tuesday night against the Predators. The pain that followed forced him to seek an MRI which revealed just how much damage had been done.

This isn’t the way the Minnesota native wants to go out after playing 18 seasons in the NHL.

“I don’t want to end my career like this,” Langenbrunner said. “Hopefully I can get this done and have the six months of getting back into shape. Hopefully come back strong and feel better when summer comes and hopefully play again next year.”

Langenbrunner will now help the team from afar as a scout from the press box, he joked.

“I guess I’ll be some sort of a scout from the press box or something, but it was great that they included me in that. It’s not quite the same as being on the ice, but I get to still at least be a part of it,” Langenbrunner said.

Last season, Langenbrunner became the 21st American-born player to play in 1,100 NHL games. He has notched one point, an assist, in four games this season with the Blues.